Community News
Getting Through Cancer

Studies on MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs) have shown their efficacy in decreasing symptoms of stress, improving mood, sleep, and quality of life among cancer survivors and their partners. Learning meditation or mindfulness is sometimes not easy, however, and requires a lot of personal effort and practice. In this era, when we are accustomed to a quick fix, not many have the capacity or staying power to see lasting results especially when seriously ill or without the social support of a group. Brainwave Optimization is a technology that works to calm the brain down and helps with focus, so meditation and mindfulness are learned much easier. With its proven relaxation benefits, Brainwave Optimization can support the strength and courage needed to cope with the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment.

Joanne Couture, RMFT, RSW, LaLobaTraumaRelease.com

Craving or Clue?

How many rice cakes does it take to satisfy a chocolate craving? About 10 followed by a gigantic chocolate bar. What if cravings are clues that you have a need that’s not being met? That instead of chocolate what you really need is rest, pain relief or someone to talk to? A craving that doesn’t come from hunger can’t be satisfied with food. How to know if you’re hungry for a Mars Bar or a nap? 1. Become aware of a sudden and intense craving. 2. Be curious. What’s going on right now? How am I feeling? Am I actually hungry? How hungry am I? What is my real need here? It may very well be a Mars Bar, but you don’t really know until you ask yourself. If it is, savour it without guilt and congratulate yourself on the mindful decision for real self-care.

Lisa Kehler, OffYourPlateNutrition.ca

Roll Out The Pain

Foam-rolling helps to prepare your muscles for the stresses of physical activity. It is used as a warm-up tool, as well as for recovery. The pressure of bodyweight on the foam roller creates an increase in blood flow. This improved circulation allows all the necessary elements to travel to the area and help the muscle. It helps decrease muscle stiffness and helps break down adhesions and scar tissues that inhibit proper muscle function. It isn’t the most comfortable feeling while using it, but that is expected. You can roll the same muscle from a few different angles to ensure you touch each possible affected area, or you can remain stationary and just apply pressure on the muscle. You will want to spend at least twenty seconds on any one area, while sore or tight muscles will benefit from a few minutes of attention. This can all be safely performed before and following exercise.

Heath Vermette, CAT(C), SouthSherbrook.com

Natural Product Spotlight: Skincerity® by NuCerity

Skincerity is the world’s only breathable facial masque clinically proven to improve the health of your skin. It’s the Breathable Barrier® technology, which seals in your own natural moisture to deeply hydrate your skin that makes the difference. Engineered by biomedical experts and validated by numerous research studies supported by the National Institutes of Health, Skincerity has been shown to be substantially more effective than over-the-counter creams in delivering a higher nutrient content into the skin. Simply roll on before you go to bed, and Skincerity takes care of the rest. While you sleep, your skin remains protected while Skincerity works to restore its natural balance. Vitamin E is delivered to your skin to protect from early stages of UV damage, as well as grape seed oil to repair damaged tissues due to the effects of the sun and wounds. Upon removal, Skincerity exfoliates dead cells from the skin’s surface.

NuCerity, NucerityRocks.com

Put the Spring Back in Your Step with Bowenwork

Lower body pain in the feet, ankles, knees, hips or lower back can really influence a person’s mobility, balance, and capacity to do things in their daily lives. It can also affect the alignment of their entire body, and even be contributing to pain in their upper body. Bowenwork looks at the body as one entire functioning unit. It gently signals the nervous system to reset the tension in the body to a more relaxed, normal resting state. Bowenwork improves circulation of blood and lymph in our bodies. This results in an increase of oxygen, and nutrients to muscles, the release of toxins, and long lasting pain relief. Bowenwork is a newer type of bodywork that started in Australia in the 1950’s and is quickly gaining popularity in Canada. Its primary focus is on the body’s innate ability to heal itself and working with the body holistically for effective pain relief.

Bernadette Kozak, Certified Bowenwork Practitioner, WinnipegPainRelief.ca

Ask The Expert

Dear Optometrist: I’ve been noticing my eyes have been watering lately, what’s going on? Answer: Your eyes produce tears to keep the front of the eyes hydrated and protected from foreign particles, like dust. There are two causes of watering eyes, also known as epiphora or tearing; blocked tear ducts or over-production of tears. Over-production of tears can occur for many reasons including allergies, corneal abrasions, infections, lid problems or foreign objects like eyelashes. Sometimes watering of the eyes can even be a sign of dryness. While in some cases tearing of the eyes may resolve without treatment you should have your eyes examined to assess the cause of your tearing and to determine if treatment is necessary.

Lindenridge Eye Care, lreyecare.ca

Play to Heal

Are you worried about your child or youth’s current behavior or mood? Anxiety, defiance, grief and behavior at school are just a short list of common concerns that parents may have. As a parent, it is hard to see our children hurting, and we may not know where to turn or what to do. Play Therapy is a treatment for children, youth, and families that involve therapeutic elements similar to adult talk therapies with very playful elements such as puppets, dolls, art and sand that allow children and youth to express their inner most emotions. Through play therapy, children and youth can also learn social skills and skills to manage emotions and self-regulate.

Melissa Beer, GrowingRootsTherapy.ca

Get Cranked!

There are a lot of high-protein and energy options in the world today, so why Cranked Energy Bars? Wholesome, quality energy! These freshly made bars are high in protein, made from good ingredients, and come in a wide variety of flavours. Apple Cinnamon, Banana, Choco-Espresso, Chocolate Gluten-Free, Maple Walnut, Mint Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Coconut, Pumpkin Spice, and Vanilla Gluten-Free. One of my favorites is the Apple Cinnamon Bars which are packed full of energy. Ingredients: Peanut Butter, Protein Blend (Whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, whey protein hydrolysate, Bos taurus (milk), Natural flavours, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, stevia leaf extract), granola, honey, molasses, applesauce, oats, chia, chocolate chips, cranberries, puffed wheat, wheat germ, oat bran, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon. Contains: Egg, Wheat, Peanuts, Sesame Seeds, Milk. Approximately 300 calories per bar.

Nutrition Plus, NutritionPlus.com

Freedom at Any Age

These days the mobility market is full of possibilities. Rather than being confined to the inside of your home or relying on friends and family to take you out, consider the freedom of a mobility scooter. Battery powered scooters have come a long way and are now more affordable than ever. They provide the freedom to get around, they conserve physical energy which can keep you out and about longer, and they also provide you access to places you may not have previously been able to go. Along with the freedom, mobility scooters offer an element of safety. They provide stability and safety both indoors and outdoors reducing the risk of falls and injury. If you are considering a mobility scooter, do some research and access free consultations before making a purchase. There are several different models and various solutions to meet the needs of yourself or a loved one.

Re-New Mobility, ReNewMobility.ca

Running Tips for Spring

For many of us, spring and warmer weather mark the return of running outdoors. There are a few things to keep in mind when getting started. Start back slowly. Progress back into your mileage and training appropriately; doing too much too soon can increase your chance of injury. Check your shoes. Guidelines suggest replacing your running shoes every 500800 km. The foam cushioning of the shoe breaks down with time, not only mileage, so changing them yearly is a good idea. Address any injuries. Don’t start off your running season with an injury that might set you back mid-season. Good mobility of the thoracic spine and lower extremity, as well as hip and lower extremity strength, can be integral to injury prevention. Physiotherapists can help improve mobility through manual therapy and prescribe targeted exercises for mobility and lower extremity chain control. Let’s get you back on the road!

Sarah Bleichert, PrairieTrailPhysio.ca

Chronic Health Issues?

Some people seem to feel they are at the mercy of the ‘health care’ system. They are told that they can only ‘manage’ their health issues. The usual progression is a worsening of the health condition over the years and an increase in medication to ‘manage’ it. We were not designed to be sick. This includes the body AND the mind. Using food as medicine is the safest and most powerful long term ‘treatment.’ When the body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs to thrive, then chronic health issues arise. It is so common now to have health issues that it feels as if it is inevitable. Erase that thought from your mind. Enlist the services of a Primal Health Coach to educate you of a sustainable path to health restoration. Turn off the chaos inside your body and allow it to heal and thrive.

Tom White, EndDiabetesManitoba.ca, becomeHEALTHY.ca